1976-77

• Unable to abide by onerous lease terms set forth by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Toros pack their moving trucks and head to Birmingham, Alabama, to become the Birmingham Bulls.

• The Cleveland Crusaders tried to move to South Florida, but legal problems prevented that from happening. Instead, they moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, to become the second version of the Minnesota Fighting Saints. Like their predecessors, the new Fighting Saints didn't make it to the end of the season -- they folded January 20, 1977, after playing 42 games.

• With league membership now back down to 12 teams at the start of the season, league brass abandon any future plans for expansion and instead open dialogue with the NHL regarding a merger.

• In the only seven-game Avco Cup finals in league history, the Quebec Nordiques dethroned the Winnipeg Jets to win their first (and only) title.